memeorandum: House panel proposes slapping restrictions on aid to Pakistan (John T. Bennett/The Hill)

9:20 AM ET, June 19, 2011

Top Items:

Obama impersonator pulled offstage after making racial, gay jokes at GOP gathering — NEW ORLEANS — A President Obama impersonator was pulled off the stage Saturday at the Republican Leadership Conference, after telling a string of racially themed jokes about the president.

Discussion: Hotline On Call, ThinkProgress, iOwnTheWorld.com, Booman Tribune, americanthinker.com, Balloon Juice, The Reaction, Oliver Willis and American Power

Jeff Zeleny / New York Times:

Texas Leader Calls for Rightward Tilt — NEW ORLEANS — Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, the latest Republican to muse openly about exploring a Republican presidential candidacy, drew booming applause here on Saturday for not only assailing President Obama but also lecturing some members of his own party …

Discussion: Washington Post and Prairie Weather

Jeff Zeleny / The Caucus:

‘Obama’ Stuns Crowd at Republican Event — NEW ORLEANS - The Republican Leadership Conference was interrupted on Saturday by a visit from an actor impersonating President Obama, who offered a mocking assessment of the Republican presidential candidates and joked about the real president's biracial heritage.

Discussion: Washington Monthly and National Review

Jsimoncnn / CNN:

Perry wows at Republican conference amid 2012 buzz — New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) - As speculation mounts about his presidential ambitions, Texas Gov. Rick Perry delivered a rousing and unapologetic defense of conservative principles on Saturday at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans.

Discussion: The Texas Tribune, msnbc.com, Hotline On Call, Washington Post, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog and The Note

Erik Wasson / The Hill:

‘Obama’ pushes the limit at GOP leadership conference — An Obama impersonator addressed the Republican Leadership Conference and made some edgy jokes. — A fake President Obama addressed the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans Saturday, courtesy of impersonator Reggie Brown.

Discussion: Don Surber

Jonathan Martin / The Politico:
Ron Paul wins RLC straw poll

Discussion: CNN and GOP 12

Brian Montopoli / CBS News:
Ron Paul wins Republican Leadership Conf. straw poll; Jon Huntsman second

Discussion: Top of the Ticket, Hot Air, Outside the Beltway and Gawker

Jamie Klatell / Ballot Box: Ron Paul wins Republican Leadership Conference straw poll by wide margin

Ben Sisario / New York Times:

Clarence Clemons, Springsteen's Soulful Sideman, Dies at 69 — Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, whose jovial onstage manner, soul-rooted style and brotherly relationship with Mr. Springsteen made him one of rock's most beloved sidemen, died Saturday at a hospital in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 69.

Discussion: Rolling Stone, Power Line, Gothamist, TalkLeft, Washington Post, PopEater, The Democratic Daily, Scared Monkeys and Pajamas Media

John T. Bennett / The Hill:

House panel proposes slapping restrictions on aid to Pakistan — House appropriators have proposed slapping new restrictions on the aid that Washington will send to Pakistan next year amid a chill in relations following the killing of Osama bin Laden. — A provision in the 2012 Pentagon …

Discussion: americanthinker.com and FrumForum

Signorile / The Gist:

Breaking: GLAAD President Resigns — Jarrett Barrios, the president of GLAAD, has just sent the board of GLAAD his resignation letter. A statement will be going out from GLAAD tonight, but GLAAD confirmed in an email that Barrios did resign. This comes following the report earlier today …

Discussion: Lez Get Real and Washington Blade

Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blog:
Gay group chief under pressure over AT&T issues

Discussion: Poliglot and Towleroad News #gay

Jonathan Wynne-Jones / Telegraph:

Christians are more militant than Muslims, says Government's equalities boss — Muslims are integrating into British society better than many Christians, according to the head of the Government's equality watchdog. — Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Discussion: Big Peace

Mitt Romney / National Review:

My Pro-Life Pledge — I am pro-life and believe that abortion should be limited to only instances of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. — I support the reversal of Roe v. Wade, because it is bad law and bad medicine. Roe was a misguided ruling that was a result of a small group …

Discussion: The Mahablog, TBogg, The Volokh Conspiracy, The Daily Caller, The Note, The Hill, CNN, The Politico, Datechguy's Blog and The Daily Dish

John / Power Line:

Even the Russians Have Figured It Out — Russia's President, Dmitri Medvedev, addressed the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum yesterday. He pledged a new course for Russia: … Medvedev's political future is very much in doubt, as is Russia's ability to realize his free-enterprise vision.

Discussion: That Mr. G Guy's Blog

Weasel Meister / Weasel Zippers:

Hold Your Nose: Islamic Holy Warriors at Gitmo Embody the Essence of Their Religion — Disgusting and fitting. … HT: Ace

Olivia Katrandjian / ABCNEWS:

Golf Summit: President Obama and Speaker Boehner Tee Off — President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner may be at odds over taxes, the debt ceiling and the conflict in Libya, but for today at least, they are putting aside their differences for a round of golf.

Discussion: Sky Dancing, CNN, Political Punch and The 1600 Report